DO & SEE

Fort Clinch State Park

Head to this 1,400-acre park for history, adventure and exciting wildlife viewing. Tour historic Fort Clinch and learn about the life of a Union soldier. Watch for bald eagles, purple sandpipers, red-tailed hawks and scarlet tanagers while hiking Willow Pond Nature Trail, or go shark-tooth hunting on the shell-rich beaches adjacent to the fort. With a little patience and by concentrating your search at the tide line where the waves crash onto the sand, you just might find a tooth from a tiger shark, bull shark, lemon shark or even a massive megalodon.

Amelia Island Horseback Riding

Explore beautiful Atlantic Coast beaches (above) atop gentle, sturdy horses trained to accommodate first-time or experienced riders. Founded in 1993, this tour company provides a range of experiences including sunrise and sunset rides, day-long rides and rides for special occasions.

Amelia Island Museum of History

Housed in the former Nassau County jail, this museum explores more than 4,000 years of life on Amelia Island. Learn about Florida’s First Peoples—the native Timucua who grew crops, carved canoes and fished the surrounding waters. The exhibit also covers the arrival of the Europeans in the 1500s and the challenges that the U.S. Civil War brought to northeast Florida.

EAT & STAY

Elizabeth Pointe Lodge     

Ready, set—relax. This AAA Three Diamond oceanfront inn is tailor-made for a winter weekend getaway. Unwind in a spacious room or suite or slip into one of the cozy white rocking chairs on the sprawling back porch facing the Atlantic Ocean.

David’s Restaurant & Lounge

Enjoy an adventurous menu built on classic recipes at this AAA Three Diamond restaurant in the heart of downtown Fernandina Beach. Grilled octopus with homemade chimichurri and plantain bacon cheese croquets and beef carpaccio topped with fried capers are among its signature dishes.

Island Time Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt

After a long day at the beach, indulge your sweet tooth at this local Centre Street gem. Choose from 24 flavors of hand-dipped ice cream and 12 flavors of soft-serve frozen yogurt and sorbet. They also have candy, cookies, gourmet donuts and pretzels.